High quality

Photos are compressed to save space. If a photo is larger than 16MP, it will be resized to 16MP.

You can print good quality 16MP photos in sizes up to 24 inches x 16 inches.

Videos higher than 1080p will be resized to high-definition 1080p. A video with 1080p or less will look close to the original.

Original quality

Limited free storage that uses storage in your Google Account. Check your storage here. If you go over this limit, learn how to buy storage.

All photos and videos are stored in the same resolution that you took them.

Recommended for photos that have more than 16MP and videos with more than 1080p.

Recommended for printing large banners

Free unlimited storage for Pixel and Pixel 2 users

If you have a Pixel, you get unlimited free storage at Original quality for photos and videos uploaded from your phone. You won’t be able to use “High quality.”

If you have the Pixel 2, you get free unlimited Original quality storage for photos and videos uploaded from Pixel before Jan 16, 2021. After that, new photos will be uploaded at High quality for free. If you upload new photos at Original quality, it will count against your storage. Photos uploaded before Jan 16, 2021 will remain free at Original quality.

Reduce the size of your photos and videos

If you have photos in Original quality and want to save some space, change your already backed-up photos and videos to High quality. This setting will not appear if you don’t have any photos in Original quality.